New chronic kidney disease guide for GPs

11 March 2009

New guide for GPs on management of chronic kidney disease

This week over 3,800 GP practices throughout New Zealand will receive a copy of “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in General Practice”. This concise guide for primary care has been developed by Kidney Health New Zealand, in an effort to raise awareness of the prevalence of kidney disease and to establish a standard guide for early detection and referral.

The release of the guide has been timed to coincide with World Kidney Day on March 12. The event has been arranged to highlight the importance of early detection in treating a condition that is estimated to affect more than 500 million people world wide. In New Zealand early screening for kidney disease could make a huge impact on the estimated 200,000 people affected by CKD.

The summary guide is based on a larger document produced by Kidney Health Australia. Consultation has taken place with the Ministry of Health, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practice, health practitioners and kidney specialists.

It is estimated that one adult in ten has some sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but most do not know it. CKD is usually silent until well advanced. Early detection offers the chance of prevention or slowing the progress of established kidney disease. People who are at the greatest risk of developing kidney disease include Maori and Pacific people, those aged over 50, those who smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, and those with a family history of kidney disease. CKD is easily detected by the measurement of blood pressure, a simple test for protein in the urine and a blood test to estimate kidney function. All of these tests are readily available in general practice.

Kidney Health New Zealand is committed to the well being of people affected by kidney disease This commitment includes support for the prevention and early detection of kidney disease including access to best practice treatments. The Guide will be useful for general practitioners in managing people with chronic kidney disease and making appropriate referrals to nephrology services.

Copies of the Guide are available from Kidney Health New Zealand
For further information visit: www.kidneys.org.nz

ENDS

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